President Donald Trump will appear at the Pentagon to mark the 25th anniversary of the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, instead of visiting Ground Zero in New York City.
Asked about why he would not be commemorating the anniversary in his hometown, Trump told reporters Friday, “Because I’m going to the Pentagon.”
Vice President JD Vance is instead expected to attend the event in New York City, according to a senior administration official. Other officials will attend a ceremony in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, on the day, the official added.
The New York Times first reported that Trump would travel to the Pentagon on 9/11, writing Thursday that the president had initially wanted to go to New York City but decided against it when organizers would not allow him to speak during the Ground Zero program, which traditionally does not permit speeches.
The White House has denied that claim, with White House communications director Steven Cheung calling the report “FAKE NEWS” in a post on X Friday.
A senior administration official also told reporters Friday that the report was “false” but would not explain further.
“As a proud New Yorker, President Trump has spoken about his own experiences watching the horrific events of September 11, 2001,” White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said in a statement. “On the 25th anniversary of this tragic day, the President will remember those who were killed at the hands of evil terrorists, honor their loved ones, and pay tribute to the brave first responders who put their lives on the line to rescue their fellow Americans.”
Trump visited the Pentagon on 9/11 last year before traveling to New York City to spend the evening at a New York Yankees game that honored the victims of the attacks.
He did attend the ceremony at Ground Zero in 2024, appearing at the event where his presidential opponent, former Vice President Kamala Harris, and then-President Joe Biden were also in attendance. Trump had last gone to the New York City ceremony in 2016, but did visit a fire station and police precinct in the city in 2021.
During his first term, Trump spent the anniversaries at the Pentagon in 2017 and 2019 and went to Shanksville, Pennsylvania, in 2018 and 2020.
